Bill Cowley

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William Mailes "Cowboy" Cowley (born June 12, 1912 in Bristol, Quebec - died December 31, 1993) was a Canadian professional hockey center who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Eagles and Boston Bruins.

[edit] Playing career

After a few seasons of senior league play in Ottawa and Halifax, Cowley broke in as a rookie with the St. Louis Eagles in 1933–34. After the season, the franchise was terminated and Art Ross, the general manager of the Bruins, selected him in the subsequent dispersal draft.

In Boston he would become a star, leading the league in assists in 1939 (despite missing twelve games with injuries), 1941 and 1943, and helping to lead the Bruins to two Stanley Cups in 1938–1939 and 1941. While World War II ravaged the Bruins' powerful roster thereafter -- Boston would not win another Cup during his career -- Cowley was the team's sole remaining star. Frequently injured, he was on track to shatter the league record for scoring in 1944 when another injury ended his season two points short.

Cowley finished his career with 195 goals and 353 assists for 548 points in 549 NHL games. At the time of his retirement in 1947, he was the NHL's all-time leading point scorer, and the last active player from the St. Louis Eagles roster.

After his career, Cowley went on to coach in the Ottawa senior leagues and the Vancouver Canucks of the PCHL. He also helped found the Ottawa 67s as a part-owner in 1967.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1968. In 1998, he was ranked number 53 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.

[edit] Awards & Achievements

  • Named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 1938, 1941, 1943 and 1944.
  • Named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1945.
  • Won the NHL scoring title in 1941.
  • The only member of the Hall of Fame to begin his career with the St. Louis Eagles.
  • Upon his retirement, Cowley was the last active player that had played for the Senators/Eagles franchise.
  • The only NHL players who have scored more points per game in a season than Cowley's 1.97 in 1944 are Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
  • The only NHL player to average a point a game over his career until Gordie Howe.

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Tommy Anderson		 Winner of the Hart Trophy
1943		 Succeeded by
Babe Pratt
Preceded by
Ebbie Goodfellow		 Winner of the Hart Trophy
1941		 Succeeded by
Tommy Anderson
Preceded by
Milt Schmidt		 NHL Scoring Champion
1941		 Succeeded by
Bryan Hextall
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